Waveform notes

There is no excessive noise nor any inconsistent breaks in the waveform.

As engine speed increases, amplitude and frequency increase.

The oscillations are punctuated by a periodic gap caused by the timing reference mark indicating a fixed position within crankshaft rotation.

Waveform Library

Go to the drop-down menu bar at the lower left corner of the Waveform Library window and select, Crankshaft sensor (inductive).

Example CKP sensor

Graphical representation of sensor and pulse wheel

Further guidance

A CKP sensor provides an Engine Control Module (ECM) with its primary engine timing reference signal. The ECM uses it to calculate the engine speed and position for accurate injection and ignition control. The signal is also used to detect engine speed anomalies from misfires etc.

An inductive CKP sensor consists of a circuit with a wire coiled around a magnet. The sensor is accompanied by a pulse wheel, typically arranged about the flywheel circumference. The pulse wheel passes through and disturbs the sensor magnetic field inducing a circuit voltage. The induced voltage depends on engine speed: the faster the pulse wheel rotates, the greater the magnetic field disturbance.

When either the tooth or gap centres align with the sensor, there is an equal and opposite magnetic field disturbance and no voltage is induced. Conversely, as either a tooth leading or trailing edge aligns with the sensor, the magnetic field disturbance and induced voltage are greatest.

Positive voltage is produced when a tooth leading edge is closer than its trailing edge, and a negative voltage is produced in the opposite case.

The missing tooth on the pulse wheel provides the main timing reference mark. As the gappasses through the magnetic field, there is a period of reduced disturbance and voltage. Furthermore, the trailing and leading edge of the teeth that immediately precede and follow the gap are further apart, thus they produce a larger net magnetic field disturbance and induced voltage.

The CKP sensor signal is critical to ECM operation and it will not start or run an engine if the signal is missing or faulty. Therefore, the sensor can cause engine cranking but not starting or engine cutting out symptoms.

Possible faults are:

Short or open circuits and high resistance in the sensor coil or circuit.

Reduced sensor output due to excessive dirt and detritus on the sensor housing or pulse wheel.

Incorrect fitment or operation of the sensor or crankshaft components, causing:

excessive gaps between the sensor and pulse wheel

damage to the sensor housing or pulse wheel

excessive crank or flywheel movement or vibration

A two pin CKP sensor and ECM circuit can be arranged in two ways, with either:

a constant reference, non-floating, voltage to one side of the sensor and the sensor output signal on the other; or

a floating voltage, with mirrored output signals on each side of the sensor.

P0315 Crankshaft Position - system variation values are not stored in the PCM memory

P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction

P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

P0337 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Low Input

P0338 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit High Input

P0339 Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent

P0385 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Malfunction

P0386 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Range/Performance

P0387 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Low Input

P0388 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit High Input

P0389 Crankshaft Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent

GT429-2

Disclaimer
This help topic is subject to changes without notification. The information within is carefully checked and considered to be correct. This information is an example of our investigations and findings and is not a definitive procedure. Pico Technology accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies. Each vehicle may be different and require unique test settings.